Wingspan
- Designer Elizabeth Hargrave
- Publisher Stonemaier Games , 999 Games , Angry Lion Games , Arclight Games , asmodee
- Illustration Ana Maria Martinez Jaramillo , Natalia Rojas , Greg May , Beth Sobel
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Start for freeWhat to Expect
You collect bird cards to build engines across habitats, triggering habitat actions and combos. The game mixes open drafting, hand management and dice-driven food acquisition via a birdfeeder mechanism. Over four rounds you aim for the most points through card synergies and end-game bonuses described by the publisher.
Who Is This Game For?
Wingspan is a medium-weight game suitable for players aged around 10 and up. With 1–5 players it's playable solo or in groups up to five. At roughly 70 minutes it fits regular game nights and players interested in thematic, strategic card games.
How It Works
Core mechanics are engine-building and an action queue where played birds enable habitat actions. Open drafting and hand management determine which birds enter your tableau; dice rolling provides food resources. Many birds grant once-per-game abilities and there are end-game bonuses that affect scoring after the four rounds.
What Makes It Special
Designed by Elizabeth Hargrave, Wingspan stands out for its bird theme and biologically inspired card powers. It won the 2019 Deutscher Spiele Preis Best Family/Adult Game and received production awards the same year, emphasising its presentation and thematic integration.
Awards
2019
2019
2019
- 2019 Deutscher Spiele Preis Best Family/Adult Game — Winner
- 2019 5 Seasons Best International Strategy — Winner
- 2019 Board Game Quest Awards Best Production Values — Winner
- 2019 Gouden Ludo - best expert game — Winner
Pro
- Strong thematic integration with bird species and habitat actions
- Engine-building focused play with clear action chains
- Award-winning production values (Board Game Quest Awards 2019)
- Includes solo play (1–5 players)
Contra
- Around 70 minutes can be long for casual groups
- Medium complexity requires some learning for newcomers
Setting & Atmosphäre
Players act as bird enthusiasts—researchers and ornithologists—attracting birds to wildlife preserves. The game uses realistic bird-inspired powers and detailed illustrations to support the setting, as noted in the publisher description and Wikipedia.
Tipp für Einsteiger
Start by learning the three habitat tracks and how bird cards trigger actions; build your engine gradually and prioritise synergy over immediate gains.
Häufige Fragen
Can I play this solo?
Yes. Wingspan supports solo play.
How long does a game really take?
The listed duration is about 70 minutes; allow extra time for setup and first-time explanations.
What prior experience do I need?
Basic familiarity with card-driven engine mechanics helps, but beginners can learn with guidance.
How does this compare to similar games?
Wingspan emphasizes thematic, real-world-inspired bird powers within an engine-building card game, differing from resource-only eurogames.
Is this suitable for families?
With a recommended age of 10+, it's suitable for families with older children, while younger kids may struggle with the complexity.
What mechanic makes it special?
The interplay of engine-building, action queue and open drafting defines its gameplay.
Fazit
Wingspan is recommended for players who enjoy thematic engine builders and bird/nature themes. It is less suited to those seeking very short or purely casual family titles.
